History of Dentistry Quiz

Dentistry History and Notable Figures

• Dentistry traces its origins to the Indus Valley Civilization circa 7000 BC.
• The concept of "tooth worms" causing dental decay dates back to 5600 BC.
• Hesy-Re was recognized as the first dentist around 2600 BC with early forms of dental work.
• Ebers Papyrus (1700-1500 BC) documented dental diseases and remedies in Egypt.
• Hippocrates and Aristotle discussed dentistry between 500-300 BC, contributing to early dental literature.
• Celsus, a Roman writer around 100 BC, compiled medical knowledge on oral hygiene and dental treatments.
• Dental prosthetics first appeared with the Etruscans using gold crowns between 166-201 AD.

Development of Dental Practices

• Silver paste was used in China for dental treatments around 700 AD, alongside various materials like wood and cork.
• The Guild of Barbers, established in 1210, included lay barbers performing dental surgeries.
• The first dedicated dental book, "The Little Medicinal Book," was published in Germany in 1530.
• Ambroise Pare published crucial practical information about dentistry in 1575.

Key Milestones in Modern Dentistry

• Pierre Fauchard, known as the Father of Modern Dentistry, published "The Surgeon Dentist" in 1723, introducing dental fillings and prosthesis.
• The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery became the first dental college in 1840.
• Colgate produced the first mass-produced toothpaste and toothbrush in 1873.

Philippine Dentistry Evolution

• Pre-Spanish era dentistry involved barbers extracting teeth with fingers or nail pliers.
• Under Spanish rule, tooth extraction was not formally recognized as a profession; skilled practitioners were known as "Sacamuelas."
• Jose Arevalo, also known as "Capitan Cheng Cheng," is celebrated as the first Filipino dentist despite poor hygiene practices prevalent at the time.

Professionalization of Dentistry in the Philippines

• In the American era, formal examinations and licensing began with Act No. 583 in 1903 to regulate dentistry in the Philippines.
• Notable figures in this era included Dr. Gregoria Mateo, considered the Father of Philippine Dentistry, alongside Drs. Francisco Ponce, Placido Flores, Joaquín Lada, and Bonifacio Arevalo.
• These practitioners formed the Sociedad Dental De Filipinas and later the Philippine Dental Association.

Establishment of Dental Education Institutions

• The University of the Philippines started offering dentistry programs in 1915, followed by the National University in 1925, Centro Escolar University in 1927, and Manila College of Dentistry in 1929.
• The National Dental Association was established in 1924, led by its first president, Dr. Francisco Tecson.
• After World War II, the Philippine Dental Association was founded in 1945, with Dr. Joaquín Lada as the first president, leading to more dental institutions such as the University of the East (1948) and various colleges in Visayas.